§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What reply Her Majesty's Ministers have made to the protest of the five Great Powers against the act, which they declared to be one of financial repudiation, which the Khedive committed on the advice of the British Cabinet?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe protest was replied to by the Egyptian Government, to whom it was addressed. In that reply the Egyptian Government acknowledges that the suspension of payments to the Caisse was a breach of the Law of Liquidation and expresses the hope that the Powers will take into consideration the abnormal state of affairs which rendered the step necessary. Her Majesty's Government, in their communications with Foreign Powers, have supported the action of the Egyptian Government, and expressed their regret that exceptional circumstances should have made it necessary. The Correspondence on this subject will be laid before Parliament.